The Reds were dumped out of Europe after being punished for a dreadful defensive mistake and a real off-night for their forwards
Liverpool's hopes of a seventh European Cup ended in heart-breaking fashion at Anfield on Tuesday, with the Reds losing 4-1 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Whereas Alisson Becker was the star of last week's win at Parc des Princes before Harvey Elliott's late winner, his PSG counterpart, Gianluigi Donnarumma, ultimately proved the difference between the two sides as he saved spot-kicks from Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez to send Luis Enrique's men through to the quarter-finals.
Liverpool played well on the night. Indeed, the game's only goal came against the run of play and was an absolute gift, with Ousmane Dembele taking advantage of some typically calamitous defending from Ibrahima Konate to break the deadlock.
However, despite hitting the woodwork through Jarell Quansah, and creating a number of terrific chances, the Reds' unusually wasteful forward line could find no way past Donnarumma, with Mohamed Salah once again especially ineffective.
GOAL rates all of the Liverpool players on show at Anfield as Arne Slot's side frustratingly fell at the first hurdle in the knockout stage proper after topping the league phase…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Alisson Becker (7.5/10):
Nothing he could have done about the opener, but continued to frustrate PSG's forwards thereafter by betting the better of Barcola and Dembele in one-on-ones. Didn't make a save when required in the shootout, though.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):
An unforgivable giveaway in midfield should have led to Barcola scoring, but the right-back was much more effective in the second half before being forced off after following awkwardly. His fitness will now be a major concern going into Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
Ibrahima Konate (5.5/10):
One really does have to take the rough with the smooth when it comes to Konate. His failure to deal with Barcola's cross gifted PSG the opener, but he was impressive thereafter, often stepping into midfield to good effect and even drew a decent save from Donnarumma at one point. The Frenchman also hobbled off late on, creating another defensive headache for Slot.
Virgil van Dijk (6.5/10):
Once again a very commanding presence at the back, but his passing lacked its usual precision. The giant Dutchman was a threat every time he bounded forward for a corner, though.
Andy Robertson (6.5/10):
Once again had all sorts of issues containing PSG's interchanging wingers, but he made a real nuisance of himself whenever he got forward, upsetting Hakimi whenever he could, and his dead-ball deliveries were dangerous.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10):
A lot better than last week (he couldn't have been any worse, in fairness) but still not completely comfortable because of PSG's magnificent midfield three. Gravenberch did make a potentially goal-saving block on a shot from Kvaratskhelia, though.
Alexis Mac Allister (7.5/10):
Guilty of dallying in possession in the first half, leading to a great chance for Dembele, but the Argentine was Liverpool's most creative player, while his work-rate was also fantastic. Unsurprisingly booked after taking one for the team by picking a yellow for a cynical foul on Dembele in the dying minutes of normal time.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7.5/10):
The man just doesn't stop running until he's taken off! Szoboszlai repeatedly won possession back for his team high up the field, while also carrying a real goal threat throughout.
AFPAttack
Mohamed Salah (6/10):
Had two early chances that you would have expected the Egyptian to put away – particularly the first one. He did create some good openings and he worked tirelessly for the cause. However, Salah once again struggled against Nuno Mendes for the most part, while his final ball repeatedly let him down.
Diogo Jota (5.5/10):
Put himself about but didn't get much change out of PSG's powerful centre-backs and – apart from one near-post header at a corner – didn't really go remotely close to scoring.
Luis Diaz (6/10):
Really poor in the first half, offering absolutely nothing going forward, but he came to life after the interval. Caused problems whenever he went at Marquinhos & Co., but he really should have shot when Salah picked him out in the area instead of trying to cut back inside onto his right foot.
AFPSubs & Manager
Jarell Quansah (7/10):
Took over at right-back from Alexander-Arnold and went agonisingly close to sending Liverpool through during normal time, only to see his brilliant header come back off the post. Also stood up well to PSG's threat out wide.
Darwin Nunez (4/10):
Replaced Jota up top but struggled to make an impact before almost inevitably missing a spot-kick in the shootout.
Curtis Jones (5/10):
Came on for Mac Allister at the start of extra-time but took a while to get up to speed, getting caught in possession a couple of times. Not a big shock to see him miss from the spot either.
Cody Gakpo (5.5/10):
Made his eagerly-awaited return from injury 10 minutes into extra-time but didn't look fit at all and appeared incapable of tracking back.
Harvey Elliott (N/A):
Brought on for an exhausted Szoboszlai for the second half of extra-time but he was unable to repeat last week's magic.
Wataru Endo (N/A):
Subbed on for the injured Konate and had to play alongside Van Dijk for the final 10 minutes.
Arne Slot (6/10):
Liverpool started brilliantly and also had the better of the second half. The problem this week, though, was that Slot's substitutions weren't anywhere near as impactful in the second leg. The Dutchman will be bitterly frustrated by going out in the last 16, but there's a league title still to be won…
